University Student Commons and Activities

The facilities, services and programs of University Student Commons and Activities (USC&A) are designed and implemented to bring together all members of the Virginia Commonwealth University community — students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests — thereby contributing to intellectual, emotional and social growth through informal interaction.

Facilities

USC&A manages three student centers on the Monroe Park and MCV Campuses of VCU.

The University Student Commons is the main student-life facility for the Monroe Park Campus. The Commons, located in the heart of VCU's Monroe Park Campus, is a great place to meet friends, host an event, get involved, or study. The Park Place Food Court, Commons Café and Commons Convenience provide a wide variety of dining options. Break Point, located in the Lower Level of the Commons, is the university's game room with pool tables, arcades and Thunder Bowl. The Commons is home to the Student Organization Center, Off-campus Student Services, University Career Center, University Counseling Services, Disability Support Services, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and the Student Government Association.

The Hunton Student Center and the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center are both located on the MCV Campus. Hunton Student Center is a great place to study or grab a bite to eat between classes. The renovated 1841 church building has a state-of-the-art learning center, managed by VCU Libraries, along with spacious study areas on two floors including private group-study rooms. Also located in Hunton are the offices for the Associate Dean of Students, MCV Student Government Association, the Hideaway Café, and a student recreation area. Larrick is a multipurpose room used for dances, lectures, receptions, and other functions. The first floor of Larrick Student Center also serves as a student dining facility.

Information centers can be found at both the Commons and Hunton Student Center. A complete list of services and programs that these facilities offer is available online at www.usca.vcu.edu.

Programs

USC&A offers a wide variety of programs and leadership opportunities for students on both the Monroe Park Campus and MCV Campus. The following programming offices are included in the USC&A: Monroe Park Campus and MCV Campus Programs Office, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Leadership Development, Student Organization Services, and Volunteer Services. Through these offices, several university traditions and major events are coordinated. These events include: Welcome Week, Student Organization-Volunteer Organization Fair, Jazz on the Green, Fraternity and Sorority Recruitment, RamMadness, Fall Fest, Homecoming, Speak from the Heart Speaker Series, Greek Week, STRUT Fashion Show, Student Organization Awards Ceremony, Saturday Volunteer Specials, and Leadership and Service.

Students are encouraged to participate in these university traditions along with participating in other programs and events offered during the week and weekends. A complete listing of programs and events is available online at www.usca.vcu.edu.

Services

USC&A offers a wide variety of services for students and the entire VCU community including Information Services, Off Campus Student Services, Student Organization Services, and Volunteer Services.

Information Services staff provide campus directions and information about programs or events. More information can be obtained by calling (804) 828-1981 or visiting the Web at www.usca.vcu.edu/information.

Off Campus Student Services offer a variety of ways to assist and educate those who drive, ride, walk or bus to campus. OCSS provides a Web-based housing search system, ride-share assistance, a care emergency tool kit for check-out, bicycle registration, educational programs and coin operated rental lockers. More information on Off Campus Student Services is available online at www.usca.vcu.edu/offcampus.

The Student Organization Service Center offers mail boxes, computer work stations, storage, work rooms, financial assistance for student organizations, general planning, and advising for all student organizations. SOSC staff assist students in identifying student organizations of interest. Volunteer Services provides information on opportunities to serve the greater Richmond community through volunteer experience. More information on volunteer opportunities is available online at www.usca.vcu.edu/studentorgs/volunteer.htm.